Montevideo city council to consider resolution supporting construction of medical cannabis manufacturing and distribution facility

Friday

May 16, 2014 at 3:07 PM

Following an announcement from the capital on Thursday, the agenda of the Montevideo City Council has been updated for Monday, May 19.

Following an announcement from the capital on Thursday, the agenda of the Montevideo City Council has been updated for Monday, May 19.

Gov. Mark Dayton has said he'll sign a deal announced by state lawkmakers yesterday, which would legalize medical cannabis in Minnesota. A move to allow medical marijuana in Minnesota has had strong bi-partisan support, but to this point Gov. Dayton has withheld support, citing enforcement concerns and health concerns.

The new law does not allow smoking of marijuana, only vaporizing the cannabis extract and ingesting pills and oils. The law also gives law enforcement more tools to go after those who violate the law, along with stricter penalties.

The drug will be available to residents diagnosed with one of ten different ailments, including: cancer, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, Tourette syndrome, ALS, seizures, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease and other terminal illnesses. The family of eight year old Montevideo resident Katelyn Pauling hope medical marijuana will help reduce the trauma of her daily seizures.

The oil form of medical marijuana they want for their daughter has the THC removed, and cannot get her high.

Two state entities would distribute medical marijuana based on geographic need.

On Monday, the Montevideo City Council agenda will include the following item: "Consider resolution in support of the construction of a medical cannabis manufacturing and distribution facility within the city of Montevideo."

The attached resolution mentions, "The City of Montevideo has the land and infrastructure in place and (is) 'shovel-ready' to support hte construction of a manufacturing and distribution facility."